WWE RAW
Episode 1353
#RAW
Original Air Date: April 29, 2019
Event Date: April 29, 2019
(aired live)
City: Lexington, KY
Venue: Rupp Area
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young
Ring Announcer: Mike Rome
Ring Area
Alexa Bliss heads to the ring for a very special Moment of Bliss. First, Alexa introduces the four men from RAW who will compete in the Money in the Bank ladder match. First is Braun Strowman. Next is Ricochet, then Drew McIntyre, and lastly, Baron Corbin.
Corbin says stuff on his way to the ting, including that he’s going to become a two-time MitB winner. Ricochet reminds Corbin that he failed to successfully cash in the last time he won the MitB contract. McIntyre thinks Ricochet has a point. McIntyre is sick of Corbin’s excuses, and he’s sick of outside forces screwing up his chances at the Universal Title.
Ricochet says he didn’t come here to talk, but McIntyre tells him to leave the business talk to the grownups. Corbin and McIntyre argue. Strowman tells everyone to shut up. Strowman says no one has what it takes to stop him from winning. He also wants a preview of the action in the form of a tag match.
Match 1
Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Ricochet pins Baron Corbin after a shooting star press (and a powerslam from Strowman)
Time: 10:32 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Ricochet was isolated and grounded for the majority of the match. It was clear they were saving Strowman for the final few minutes of the match, but they managed to make it realistic with how he was kept out of the ring. The big intrigue was probably at the end of the match when Corbin and McIntyre intentionally failed to work as a team. That led to an obvious finish with Corbin looking like a dummy.
Match 2
The Usos vs Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Jimmy Uso pins Luke Gallows after a Samoan splash
Time: 7:59 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I felt sure that the Usos would win, but I was at least hoping for a good showing from Anderson and Gallows. Both of those things happened. Hopefully this is the start of a rise to prominence for Gallows and Anderson, but I won’t hold my breathe. Unfortunately.
Ring Area
After the match, The Usos show everyone a video recorded earlier. Earlier today, The Usos discovered Dash Wilder shaving Scott Dawson’s back in the shower.
In the ring,the Usos laugh. Dawson and Wilder come out to the stage, and Dawson says sure, he has some body hair in places that are difficult to reach. So sometimes he asks his best friend for help. Wilder says he was there for his best friend. The Revival are done with the Usos for now, but after they take care of Hawkins and Ryder tonight, they’ll be coming for the Usos.
Ring Area
The Miz heads to the ring for Miz TV. Miz says he’s been rejuvenated since the superstar shakeup, and he’s ready for some new guests. Tonight, Miz welcomes Bobby Lashley.
As Lashley sits down, he sets some ground rules for The Miz. Lashley says he’ll only answer the questions he wants to answer. Miz says “some people” think Lashley hasn’t been reaching his full potential. Lashley reminds Miz that he’s a two-time IC champ. Lashley also wonders what Miz has done. Miz gets smug and lists the titles he’s won. But no one is questioning Miz’s potential.
Lashley talks about what Miz didn’t do at Wrestlemania. He talks about Shane McMahon beating up Miz and his dad. No wonder Miz’s father thinks he’s worthless. Miz attacks Lashley and throws him out of the ring. Miz throws chairs at Lashley as the show goes to a commercial break.
Match 3
The Miz vs Bobby Lashley
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Bobby Lashley pins The Miz after a spear
Time: 2:55 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t much of a match. Miz had control until Shane McMahon came out to ringside. Miz kept fighting, but Shane put a picture of Miz’s dad on the screen which allowed Lashley to take advantage of the distraction.
Ring Area
After the match, Shane McMahon enters the ring. Shane toys with Miz, but Miz attacks. Lashley pulls Miz off and slams him to the mat. Shane mounts and punches Miz. Shane yells at Miz and continues to punch and kick him, then he decides to put Miz in a triangle hold. After what feels like a minute, Shane grabs a mic and reminds everyone that he is the best in the world.
Ring Area
The Viking Raiders head to the ring for a match. As they reach ringside, the Lucha House Party attacks them from behind. Erik and Ivar don’t seem too hurt, and the match begins as scheduled.
Match 4
Viking Raiders vs Kalisto & Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Ivar pins Kalisto after the Viking Experience
Time: 1:56
Match Thoughts
Squash.
Ring Area
After the match, Lince Dorado is brought into the ring. Dorado goes down with a tandem German suplex and running lariat.
Ring Area
Alexa Bliss is on the stage for another Moment of Bliss. Alexa announces the women from RAW competing in the Money in the Bank ladder match including Natalya, Dana Brooke, Naomi, and Alexa Bliss herself.
The four women argue which leads to Naomi challenging Alexa to match. Alexa says she would, but she doesn’t want to. Besides, Alexa doesn’t have the correct shoes to compete. Naomi makes fun of Alexa, so Alexa agrees to the match.
Video
In the Firefly Fun House, Bray Wyatt talks about his love of painting. Rambling Rabbit shows up and asks to see the painting Bray is working on. The painting is of a burning building with a woman trapped inside. Abby the Witch tells Bray to not fool around in the fun house. Bray says he’s sorry. Abby accepts his apology.
Rambling Rabbit shows up and says “sociopath” is the word of the day. Bray spells the word of the day, then he says goodbye as the show ends.
Match 5
Alexa Bliss vs Naomi
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Naomi wins via pinfall after split-legged moonsault
Time: 6:00 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Alexa kept messing with her shoes the entire time, and that played a direct factor in the finish. It was fun for what it was.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Rey Mysterio about getting beat up recently. Mysterio says he’s has some troubles on RAW, but he has to leave that in the past. Rey knows he’s a better man than that, and he’s going to prove it tonight against Samoa Joe. Rey’s son Dominic supports his father.
Ring Area
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. In the ring, Charly Caruso asks Becky why she decided to defend both the RAW and SmackDown titles in two matches on the same night at Money in the Bank. Becky says she’s not being impulsive, she’s being a fighting champ. All she knows how to do is fight. Becky knows how to defy the odds, and nothing she’s done in her career has been by accident. Becky didn’t become a double champ by dodging anyone, she did it by beating everyone.
Becky then invites Lacey Evans to the ring so Becky can get a little payback for last week. Lacey comes out and calls Becky a typical man. Lacey also says she’s done talking, and she runs towards the ring. Becky and Lacey brawl as referees try to hold them apart.
Match 6
Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder (RAW Tag Champs) vs The Revival
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Zack Ryder pins Scott Dawson with a crucifix pin
Time: 4:18
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good. I get frustrated with teams that repeatedly unexpectedly win, but they like to do that with the tag teams on RAW. I like both of these teams though.
Backstage
Sarah Schreiber asks Miz for a response to what Shane did earlier tonight. Miz responds by challenging Shane to a steel cage match at Money in the Bank.
Ring Area
Sami Zayn heads to the ring. Sami says that his time away wasn’t great just because he took some trips, it was great because he worked on improving himself and learning. Sami explains the concept of “psychological entitlement.” He then tells a story about a soulless father sending his kid to get an autograph from Sami at four in the morning at the airport. It made Sami sick that a four year old could already feel so entitled that he would get upset when Sami said “no.” From now on, we will only get whatever Sami is kind enough to give us.
Sami says people have been telling him to quit WWE if he doesn’t like it. While quitting would be great, it will be even greater to come out every week and hold everyone accountable for their actions. Sami is going to take the power back.
Ring Area
Samoa Joe heads to the ring for a match. Joe says he noticed that Dominic looks ashamed of his father. He’s ashamed that Joe put Mysterio to sleep so quickly. Rey should get Dominic a mask so he can hide his shame.
Joe is also still upset that he didn’t win a Universal Title opportunity last week, so this week there will be a reckoning.
Match 7
Samoa Joe (US Champ) vs Rey Mysterio
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall with a sunset flip
Time: 4:03 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Rey played very good defense tonight. He managed to avoid a lot of Joe’s attacks while wearing Joe down with kicks, strikes, and dives. joe seemed a step or two behind for most of the match. The finish felt a little strange, and I wouldn’t have minded if the decision had gone the other way, but I liked the match.
Ring Area
After the match, Rey Mysterio quickly exits the ring and heads up the ramp. Dominic comes out and celebrates with his father.
Ring Area
Michael Cole is in the ring to oversee the Universal Title match contract signing between AJ Styles and Seth Rollins. Styles heads to the ring first, followed by Seth Rollins.
With both champion and challenger in the ring, Cole asks Styles what winning the Universal Title would mean to him. Styles says he’s proud of what he accomplished on SmackDown, but Rollins has something he wants. When someone wants something badly enough, they might do unexpected things. Styles says people have compared Rollins to him for years, but Rollins will never be the next AJ Styles.
Rollins says he never wanted to be the next anyone. He’s always wanted to be the first Seth Rollins. Rollins says this isn’t the house that AJ Styles built, this is Monday Night Rollins. Styles is phenomenal, but he’ll have to be better than phenomenal to take the Universal Title from Rollins.
Styles wonders what it cost Rollins physically as he tried to prove that he is the workhorse of RAW. He also says The Shield isn’t here to support Rollins anymore, and Styles doesn’t think Rollins has much left. Styles is ready to go right now. Styles signs the contract.
Rollins says he’s done something that Styles has never done. He beat Brock Lesnar. Rollins tells Styles to ask Lesnar how he’s doing. Rollins was at his best at Wrestlemania, and he’ll be at his best when he beats Styles. Rollins signs the contract.
Styles picks up the Universal Title. After a few seconds, he hands it to Rollins. Rollins holds the title above his head. After a few more seconds, Styles attacks Rollins. The two men brawl, and Styles is sent out to the floor. Rollins dives out to Styles, then he slides back into the ring. Styles jumps up to the apron and hits Rollins with a Phenomenal Forearm that sends both men crashing through a table.
Show Impressions
This show was okay. The wrestling wasn’t that great (Finn Balor is already sorely missed on Monday nights), and there were a lot of talking segments, but I liked the show okay.
Match of the Night
The Usos vs Anderson & Gallows
The Joe/Mysterio match was good too, but this tag match was about twice as long.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2019-04-29